The only freshman on the Harvard football team bus gazed out the tinted windows at the bright September afternoon, watching the New England countryside. Seated behind the defensive coaching staff, young Ben Abercrombie was aglow as the chartered bus carrying the Crimson defense chugged south on I-95 toward Kingston, Rhode Island. The date was Sept. 16, 2017.

The bus rolled closer to the University of Rhode Island campus, where Harvard would play its opening game of the 2017 season. As the only freshman on the Crimson defense to make the traveling squad, Ben, a safety, was in charge of previewing different movie options for the players to watch on the ride. Wearing a navy blue blazer, his Harvard class of 2021 pin on the left lapel, and a white button-down with a yellow tie, he stood in the front of the bus. Speaking in a loud and clear voice, he gave the synopsis of several movies, noting how much he enjoyed “I Am Legend.” His words persuaded his teammates; Ben popped in...